He also said the tax increase would not solve all the municipal authority's financial problems. It is facing a $625,000 shortfall on its debt service next year and the township will be able to cover only $440,000 of that, he said.

The remaining $185,000, officials said, will likely have to come from higher sewer rates.

Although the tax increase is for the benefit of the municipal authority, the revenue would flow through the general fund to be paid to the authority only as needed, Ganster said.